Community Development Committee Meeting - February 24, 2026
Community Development Committee Meeting - February 24, 2026
The Community Development Committee met on February 24, 2026, at 9:15 AM. The committee approved multiple consent agenda items, including fireworks permits and contract extensions, and discussed and voted on several infrastructure, brownfield, and trail projects. The meeting concluded with a major presentation and contract award for the Grand River Vitalization Project, a 17-year initiative to restore rapids and improve river access.
Consent Calendar
- Fireworks Discharge Permits: Approved three permits: for Strictly FX indoor special effects at Van Andel Arena in connection with IPR (February 24, 2026); for Broadway Grand Rapids' "Juliet" performances at DeVos Performance Hall (March 10–15, 2026); and for Strictly FX at Van Andel Arena in connection with Bailey Zimmerman (March 12, 2026). All passed unanimously.
- Time Extensions: Approved time extensions for geotechnical services and construction materials testing (no cost increase, previously authorized $7 million) and for evaluation and maintenance structures and coatings with Dixon Engineering Inc. (no cost increase, previously authorized $250,000). Both passed unanimously.
Discussion Items
- Contract for Electrical Improvements at WRRF: Awarded to Basin Electric Co. for $1,763,067 (total not to exceed $2,763,935) for critical electrical component replacement at the Water Resource Recovery Facility's North Secondary Control Building. Included a 0.25% micro-local business enterprise discount and $255,000 in subcontracting. Passed unanimously.
- Grand River Edges Trail East (Leonard to Ann): Approved an agreement with MDOT authorizing $2,140,352 local share to construct the trail from Leonard Street to the Grand Rapids Eastern Railroad, closing a key gap. The project leverages TAP and MDNR grants and West Michigan Trails contributions. Discussion included ARPA fund expiration concerns and connections to bike infrastructure. Passed unanimously.
- Water Service Replacement on Oakwood Avenue: Awarded to C&D Hughes Inc. for $4,957,748 (total not to exceed $6,190,962) to replace an aged water main and 73 lead service lines. Contract includes 9% micro-LBE participation (voluntary due to DWRF funding restrictions). Passed unanimously.
- Oxford Street Reconstruction (Norwick to Godfrey): Awarded to Anlon Corporation for $1,986,602 (total not to exceed $2,834,733) for sewer separation, bridge rehabilitation, and road narrowing to support the Oxford Trail project. The city is 99.9% sewer separated; this is one of the last areas. Passed unanimously.
- Monroe Avenue Mill and Resurfacing: Approved an agreement with MDOT authorizing $791,120 local share for resurfacing from Newberry Street to Coldbrook Street, including curb changes for pedestrian safety. Construction set for May/June, approximately 8 weeks, with one side open at a time. Passed unanimously.
- Trench Repair Contract: Awarded to Lodestar Construction Inc. for $976,690 (total not to exceed $1,120,000) for trench repair in outlying communities. Passed unanimously.
- Easements for Leffingwell and Bradford Reconstruction: Accepted multiple easements at 915 Leffingwell Ave, 2984 Bradford St, and 2848 Bradford St for $1 each. Corewell Health is a partner; total investment about $4.5 million. Passed unanimously.
- Brownfield Plan Amendment – Knapp Hills: Scheduled a public hearing for March 17, 2026, to consider including the Knapp Hills Redevelopment Project (2070 Dean Lake Ave NE). The Wheeler Group proposes 38 townhomes (21% at 100% AMI), $12.3 million total cost, ~$2 million eligible activities. Passed unanimously.
- Brownfield Plan Amendment – Lake Eastbrook Depots: Scheduled a public hearing for March 17, 2026, to consider including the Lake Eastbrook Depots redevelopment (3538 Lake Eastbrook Blvd SE). Scott Weirda proposes 132 apartments (45% monitored at 90–100% AMI for 25 years), $25 million total cost, ~$10.6 million eligible activities including financing gap. Passed unanimously.
Grand River Vitalization Project Presentation and Contract Award
- Contract Award: Approved a contract with Taplin Group LLC for the Grand River Vitalization Project (lower reach) in the amount of $14,562,625.98, with a total not to exceed $25,982,101. The project will remove four dams between I-196 and Fulton Street and replace them with natural rock features, restoring rapids, improving fish habitat, and enhancing public access. Construction begins spring 2026 and will last approximately two years; Ah-Nab-Awen Park will be closed during this time.
- Presentation: Mike Stahl (City Engineering) and Matt Chapman (Grand Rapids Whitewater) presented the project's goals and design, emphasizing collaboration with state and federal agencies and integration with parks and trails. The project is the culmination of 17 years of effort.
- Discussion: Committee members asked about community engagement (including with advocacy groups), a consolidated information webpage, and inclusion of local workforce and subcontractors. Staff noted that federal funding (NRCS) limits the ability to require micro-local participation on the construction contract, but they are exploring other professional services opportunities. Deputy City Manager Barrens committed to providing a comprehensive look at micro-local objectives.
- Vote: The resolution passed unanimously.
Key Outcomes
- All 15 resolutions were approved unanimously.
- A public hearing for the Knapp Hills and Lake Eastbrook brownfield plan amendments was scheduled for March 17, 2026.
- Construction of the Grand River Vitalization Project will begin spring 2026, with ongoing updates to be consolidated on river-related websites.
Meeting Transcript
Good morning. The time is now 9 15, and we're gonna go ahead and call our community development committee meeting to order. We have a number of items, so I want to be sure we give ourselves enough time. Um and the first item some standard items here is a resolution approving a fireworks discharge permit for strictly FX for indoor special effects at the Van Angel Arena and connection with IPR on February 24th, 2026. So moved. And I'll support that. Hello. Good morning. This one's just mostly flames, but they do have some pyro. Okay. Um I don't have any questions. Sounds good. Okay. All those in favor? Aye. And I'm an I as well. Motion carries. Thank you. And we have the next one, which is also a resolution approving a fireworks discharge permit for Broadway Grand Rapids and Juliet performances for indoor special effects at the DeVos Performance Hall in connection with Juliet, the new musical from March 10th, 2026 through March 15th, 2026. So moved. And I'll support that. Any other comments? Nope. No. All right. All those in favor? Aye. And I'm an aye. That motion carries. Um next is another resolution approving a fireworks discharge permit for strift strictly FX for indoor special effects at the Van Andal Arena in connection with Bailey Zimmerman on March 12, 2026. So moved. Support all those in favor? I. I'm I. Motion carries. These are very standard for the public that may be watching. We get these regularly. They have to come to us. Um, but thank you for presenting. All right. So we'll move on to item number four. Item number four is a resolution awarding a contract with uh Basin Electric Co. for electrical improvements at WRRF North Secondary Control Building in the amount of 1,763,067 with a total amount not to exceed of $2,763,000 935. So moved. And I'll support that. Ms. Irving. Good morning. Thank you, Commissioner. Um, this is to replace critical electrical components in the North Secondary Control Building at the water resource recovery facility.
openpublica.com